Money spray apparatus for theft identification

ABSTRACT

A device for marking contents of a cash register drawer when unauthorized removal of such contents is attempted. An aerosol container of a dye is housed within the cash drawer tray and discharges its contents into a manifold which leads to spray nozzles in the individual compartments of the tray. An actuating lever contacts the nozzle of the aerosol container and is connected to a rod which is biased by a compression spring to move the lever, depressing the nozzle and releasing the spray. A spring clip on the rod normally holds the spring in compressed position preventing release of the spray. The spring clip is connected by a wire to the paper holding finger or fingers of one of the compartments of the cash drawer tray. Lifting of the paper holding fingers of this compartment releases the spring clip, permitting the spring to move the rod and release the spray material.

May 1,1973

United States Patent 1 Peters ABSTRACT A device for marking contents of a cash register drawer when unauthorized removal of such contents is attempted. An aerosol container of a dye is housed c .w D R m m m S 6 U w T M Imi ATum W Am w F d Ylma A m mmm Sm T YT? Fm N n O MTm M m within the cash drawer tray and discharges its contents [221 Filed May 1971 into a manifold which leads to spray nozzles in the in- [21] App1.No.: 143,463

dividual compartments of the tray. An actuating lever contacts the nozzle of the aerosol container and is [52] CL 109/25 09/29 [09/32 connected to a rod which is biased by a compression [5!] m. 365g 3/00 spring to move the lever, depressing the nozzle and releasing the spray. A spring clip on the rod normally Field of Search.................:.:..

holds the spring in compressed position preventing Lifting of the paper holding fingers of this compartment releases S T N m MA .l W3 T A mT .mS e

D E W N u m w 109/25 the spring clip, permitting the spring to move the rod and release the spray material.

109/25 10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures 1.743.667 1/1930 1,606,516 11/1926 Daly 3,344,757 10/1967 Touyet 3,349,729 10/1967 Olivier Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor AttorneyO1dham & Oldham Patented Ma 1, 1973 3,730,110

7 Sheets-Sheet 1 m INVENTOR. 6 WILLARD PETERS OLDHAM & OLDHAM ATTORNEYS Patented May 1, 1973 3,730,110

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 86 I INVENTOR 92 1 96 WILLARD L. PETERS I v BY OLDHAM a OLDHAM FIG. 8 ATTORNEYS MONEY SPRAY APPARATUS FOR THEFT IDENTIFICATION The present invention relates to a device for spraying an indelible dye or other marking fluid on the contents of a cash register drawer in the event of an attempted theft of the contents. The markings provide means for identifying the stolen currency and thus aid both in the recovery of the currency and in the apprehension of the thief.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a device for spraying a marking material on the contents of a cash register drawer upon unauthorized removal of such contents.

It is also an object of the invention to provide such a marking device which is inconspicuous when installed in the cash register drawer so that the thief is unaware of the presence of the device and does not attempt to deactivate the device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a marking device for a cash register drawer which is fast acting.

A further object of the invention is the provision ofa device for marking for identification of the contents of a cash register drawer which may easily be installed in existing equipment.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a marking device for a cash register drawer which is of simple construction and reliable operation.

The above and other objects of the invention which will become apparent in the following detailed description are achieved by providing a contents marking device for a cash register drawer which consists, essentially, of an aerosol container of a dye or other marking fluid housed in an inconspicuous location in a cash register drawer, a distribution manifold for receiving the fluid from the aerosol container and distributing the fluid to individual nozzles in separate compartments of the container, and an actuating mechanism for the aerosol container which consists of an actuating lever for contacting the nozzle of the container, a rod connected to one end of the lever and biased by a compression spring to move the lever to its actuating position, a spring clip on the rod to normally hold the spring in its compressed position, and a connection to the currency holding fingers of one of the compartments of the cash register drawer for releasing the spring clip when the fingers are raised.

For a more complete understanding of the invention and the objects and advantages thereof reference should be had to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cash register showing the drawer thereof in its open position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tray of the cash register drawer of FIG. 1, showing the contents marking device of the present invention installed in the tray;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spray container and actuating mechanism housing of the assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the spring clip and flexible connection to the currency holding fingers of the cash register drawer tray;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view similar to that of FIG. 4, but showing a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic showing of the control circuit employed with the embodiment of FIG. 7.

The cash register 10 of FIG. 1 may be a conventional cash register which has a cash drawer l2 fitted with a compartment tray 14. The tray 14 is divided into a first series of small compartments 16-1611 for receiving various denominations of coins and to a second series of larger compartments 18-1811 for receiving various denominations of paper currency. Each of the large compartments 18-1811 is equipped with currency holding fingers 2020d, respectively. As is shown in FIG. 2, these fingers 2020d may be substantially M-shaped having side legs 22 which are received in brackets 24 on the side walls of the compartments and a center section 26. A spring 28 is connected to the mid-point of the center section 26 of each of the fingers 20 and to the rear wall 30 of the tray to bias the fingers downwardly against the floor of the tray 46 thus clamping the paper currency in the compartment. The tray thus far described is of conventional construction.

Housed within the rear portion of one of the compartments 18 is an enclosure 32 which, as will be described in more detail below, contains an aerosol container and an actuating mechanism therefor. A distribution manifold 34 extends along the back of the tray 14 and has a lateral conduit 36 in each of the compartments 18a-18d. The lateral conduit 36 extends along the bottom wall of the compartment, closely adjacent one of the side walls thereof, and terminates in an upwardly extending nozzle or discharge member 38, with spray openings in its side.

The enclosure 32 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 4 and consists of a main portion 40 and a cover plate 42 which is bolted to the main portion 40 by the screws 43 and which includes a flange 44 having holes 45 to receive screws connecting the enclosure 32 to the floor 46 of the cash drawer tray 14. The aerosol container 48 is received within the main portion 40 of the enclosure 32 and has a nozzle 50 at one end which is connected by a flexible tube 52 to the end of the distribution manifold 34. The aerosol container 48 is of conventional construction and of the type which is activated by pressing the nozzle 50 toward the body portion of the container 48. The container 48 is filled with an indelible dye of any other suitable marking fluid. The dye provides a means for subsequently identifying the stolen currency. A dye which is invisible under normal light but visible under ultra-violet light may be em ployed to prevent detection by the thief.

Adjacent the end wall 53 at the valve end of the aerosol container 48 there is provided an actuating lever 54 which is hinged by a pin 56 carried on lugs 58 bent from the wall 53. The actuating lever 54 contacts the end of the valve 50. The end of the actuating lever 54 opposite the hinge connection 56 has a hole at 60 to receive the end of a rod 62 loosely. The rod has a peened over end 64 to retain it in engagement with the hole 60 in the actuating rod 54. The rod 62 extends generally at right angles to the actuating lever 54 and has its opposite end slidably received in a tube 66. The

end of the rod within the tube 66 is provided with an enlarged annular portion 68 and a compression type coil spring 70 surrounds the portion of the rod 62 within the sleeve, the spring being retained between the annular portions 68 of the rod 62 and the end portion 72 of the sleeve 66. The opposite end of the sleeve 66 is flanged so that it is retained against the opposite end wall of the main portion 40 of the enclosure 32. The rod 62 has an annular groove 75 on which is received a spring clip 76. The groove 75 is located so that when the clip is in place, the spring 70 is compressed and the actuating rod 54 is held away from the aerosol valve 50. When the spring clip 76 is released, in a manner to be described below, the spring 70 expands moving the rod 62 into the sleeve 66 thus pulling the actuating rod against the valve 50 and releasing the fluid from the container 48. A wire or other flexible member 78 is attached to the spring clip 76 and extends through a hole 80 in the cover plate 42 of the enclosure 32. The opposite end of the wire or flexible member 78 is connected to a hook 82 which is received at the mid-point of the center section 26 of the paper holding finger of the compartment 18. The length of the wire or flexible member 78 is such that when the paper holding finger 20 is raised the wire 78 is pulled taught, pulling the clip 76 off of the rod 62. Thus it can be seen that when the device is installed in the cash drawer tray 14, lifting of the paper fingers 20 will actuate the spray mechanism, marking the currency in each of the compartments ofthe tray 14.

A second embodiment of my invention which employs a solenoid release for the aerosol container in place of the compression spring arrangement described above is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Components of the second embodiment which correspond to those of the first embodiment are identified by the same reference numeral with the suffix 11" added.

A solenoid 86 is housed within the enclosure 40a adjacent to the aerosol container 48b. The movable rod 88 of the solenoid 86 is connected to the free-end of the nozzle actuating lever 54a. When, as is shown in FIG. 7, the solenoid 86 is deenergized, the rod 88 is fully extended and the actuating lever 54a does not contact the nozzle 50a of the aerosol container 48a. Energization of the solenoid causes the rod 88 to move into the solenoid, moving the lever arm 54a so as to depress the aerosol nozzle 50a and release the dye fluid into the manifold 34a which, as in the previously described embodiment, leads to individual spray nozzles in the compartments of the cash drawer tray.

One possible actuating circuit for the solenoid 86 is shown schematically in FIG. 7. It will be understood that other circuit arrangements well known to those skilled in the art may be used to achieve the desired result. The circuit includes a current source 92 which is in series connection with the solenoid 86, a normally closed switch 94, and a normally open switch 96. The switch 94 is a manually controlled switch which is preferably located at an inconspicuous place on the cash register. This location should be known only to the authorized users of the register. The switch 94 permits the actuating circuit to be de-energized allowing normal use of the cash drawer. The second switch 96 is adapted to close upon the occurrence of an action of unauthorized entry to the cash drawer or unauthorized removal of the contents of the drawer. For example, the switch 96 may be connected to one of the currency holding fingers 20 so that lifting of the finger closes the switch 96. Alternatively, the switch 96 may be housed in the cash register in such a manner that opening of the drawer l2 closes the switch 96.

All of the components shown in FIG. 8 could be located in the cash drawer.

Preferably, the compartment 18 which houses the enclosure 32 is baited, for example by placing one large denomination bill on the top of a stack of paper, so that the thief is encouraged to raise the paper fingers 20 of the first compartment 18 before he attempts to remove the currency from the other compartments. A suitable cover plate 84 may be provided across the top of the back portions of each of the compartments 18-18d so that the enclosure 32 is not readily visible. The device is thus substantially completely concealed.

Slide contacts could be used between the cash register and the cash drawer to transmit power to the cash drawer from an external power source.

Since only a minimum amount of modification of the structure of the drawer is required to install the marking device of the present invention, the device may be easily installed in existing equipment. To do so, it is merely necessary to provide two holes in the floor 46 of the tray 14 to receive the screws which mount the enclosure 32 and a hole through each partition to receive the distribution manifold 34.

While only the best known embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail herein, it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby. Reference should therefore be had to the appended claims in determining the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying a marking to the contents of a compartmented cash register drawer upon attempted unauthorized removal of such contents, comprising:

an aerosol container of a marking fluid, the container having a valve which releases fluid from the container when depressed;

a manifold connected to the container valve for receiving fluid therefrom, the manifold extending into at least one compartment of the drawer;

at least one nozzle connected to the manifold for spraying the fluid onto the contents of the compartment; and

actuating means for opening the valve of the container upon attempted unauthorized removal of the contents;

the aerosol container being located in the drawer, and means including a lever arm pivotally mounted at one end in the drawer and contacting the valve of the container, and means for moving the lever about its pivot to depress the valve and including a compression spring, connecting means connecting the spring to the free end of the lever arm for biasing the arm into its valve actuating position, and releasable means normally retaining the spring in its compressed position whereby the valve is closed; and

the connecting means comprising a rod attached at one end to the free end of the lever arm and having an enlarged collar at its second end for retaining the spring, a tubular sleeve slidably receiving the second end of the rod and having an inwardly directed flange for retaining the opposite end of the spring, the releasable means including a spring clip engaging the rod and contacting the flanged end of the sleeve to hold the spring in compressed position, and means for releasing the clip from the rod upon attempted unauthorized removal of the drawer contents.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein paper currency holding fingers are provided for certain of the compartments, the fingers being hingedly connected to the compartment walls, and the means for releasing the clip comprising a flexible member attached at its first end to the clip and at its second end to one of the fingers whereby lifting of the finger pulls the clip from the rod.

3. A device for marking the contents of a cash register drawer in the event of unauthorized removal of such contents, comprising:

a container housed in the drawer for holding a quantity of marking fluid under pressure and having a valve for releasing the fluid when depressed;

a tube connected to the container valve and extending to at least one point immediately adjacent at least some of the contents of the drawer, the tube having a nozzle for spraying the marking fluid onto the adjacent contents;

actuating means operative to open the valve upon unauthorized removal of certain of the contents of the drawer;

the drawer being provided with spring loaded currency holding fingers in at least certain of the compartments, the actuating means being connected to and operated by one of the fingers, and the actuating means comprising a spring biased member adapted to depress the valve of the container and a retaining member for holding the spring biased member in an inoperative position, the retaining member being connected to the finger to release the retaining member upon upward movement of the finger.

4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the actuating means comprises a lever arm contacting the container valve, a rod connected at its first end to one end of the lever arm and having a collar at its second end and an annular groove intermediate the ends of the rods, a tubular sleeve slidably receiving the second end of the rod and having a radially inwardly directed flange at the end of the sleeve through which the rod projects, a spring container between the collar and the inwardly directed flange for moving the rod into the sleeve to move the lever arm against the valve and release fluid; a spring clip releasably engaging the rod at the annular groove to hold the rod in a position whereby the spring is compressed and the valve closed; and means for releasing the spring clip from the rod upon the unauthorized removal.

5. The device according to claim 4 wherein the aerosol container, lever arm, and sleeve are housed within an enclosure which is mounted at the rear of one of the compartments of the drawer.

6. The device according to claim 4 wherein the means for releasing the spring clip comprising a flexible member connected at its first end to the clip and at its second end to the finger.

7. Apparatus for applying a marking to the contents of a compartmented cash register drawer upon attempted unauthorized removal of such contents, comprising:

an aerosol container of a marking fluid, the container having a valve which releases fluid from the container when depressed;

a manifold connected to the container valve for receiving fluid therefrom, the manifold extending into several compartments of the drawer;

individual nozzle means connected to the manifold and positioned in individual compartments for spraying the fluid onto the contents of the compartments; and

actuating means for opening the valve of the container upon attempted unauthorized removal of the contents,

the actuating means including a lever arm pivotally mounted at one end in the drawer and contacting the valve of the container, and electrical means for moving the lever about its pivot to depress the valve including a solenoid having the end of its movable member connected to the free end of the lever to move it for valve opening action, and controllable power supply means connecting to the solenoid to energize the same.

8. Apparatus for applying a marking to the contents of a cash register drawer having several compartments provided therein upon attempted unauthorized removal of such contents, comprising:

an aerosol container of a marking fluid, the container having a valve which releases fluid from the container when depressed;

a manifold connected to the container valve for receiving fluid therefrom, the manifold extending into several of such compartments;

individual nozzle means connected to the manifold and positioned in individual compartments for spraying the fluid onto the contents of the compartments; and

actuating means for opening the valve of the container upon attempted unauthorized removal of the contents of a compartment;

the actuating means including a lever arm pivotally mounted at one end in the drawer and contacting the valve of the container, and means for moving the lever about its pivot to open the valve.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the manifold comprises a first tube means connected to the aerosol container valve and extending along the rear wall of the compartments, at least one second tube means connected to the first tube means and extending forwardly along a compartment dividing wall to a point intermediate the front and rear walls of the compartment, and a nozzle tube means connected to the forward end of the second tube for discharging marking fluid into the compartment.

10. The device according to claim 8 wherein the actuating means further comprises a solenoid operatively connected to the lever arm for moving the arm to depress and open the valve, and circuit means for energizing the solenoid connected thereto. 

1. Apparatus for applying a marking to the contents of a compartmented cash register drawer upon attempted unauthorized removal of such contents, comprising: an aerosol container of a marking fluid, the container having a valve which releases fluid from the container when depressed; a manifold connected to the container valve for receiving fluid therefrom, the manifold extending into at least one compartment of the drawer; at least one nozzle connected to the manifold for spraying the fluid onto the contents of the compartment; and actuating means for opening the valve of the container upon attempted unauthorized removal of the contents; the aerosol container being located in the drawer, and means including a lever arm pivotally mounted at one end in the drawer and contacting the valve of the container, and means for moving the lever about its pivot to depress the valve and including a compression spring, connecting means connecting the spring to the free end of the lever arm for biasing the arm into its valve actuating position, and releasable means normally retaining the spring in its compressed position whereby the valve is closed; and the connecting means comprising a rod attached at one end to the free end of the lever arm and having an enlarged collar at its second end for retaining the spring, a tubular sleeve slidably receiving the second end of the rod and having an inwardly directed flange for retaining the opposite end of the spring, the releasable means including a spring clip engaging the rod and contacting the flanged end of the sleeve to hold the spring in compressed position, and means for releasing the clip from the rod upon attempted unauthorized removal of the drawer contents.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein paper currency holding fingers are provided for certain of the compartments, the fingers being hingedly connected to the compartment walls, and the means for releasing the clip comprising a flexible member attached at its first end to the clip and at its second end to one of the fingers whereby lifting of the finger pulls the clip from the rod.
 3. A device for marking the contents of a cash register drawer in the event of unauthorized removal of such contents, comprising: a container housed in the drawer for holding a quantity of marking fluid under pressure and having a valve for releasing the fluid when depressed; a tube connected to the container valve and extending to at least one point immediately adjacent at least some of the contents of the drawer, the tube having a nozzle for spraying the marking fluid onto the adjacent contents; actuating means operative to open the valve upon unauthoRized removal of certain of the contents of the drawer; the drawer being provided with spring loaded currency holding fingers in at least certain of the compartments, the actuating means being connected to and operated by one of the fingers, and the actuating means comprising a spring biased member adapted to depress the valve of the container and a retaining member for holding the spring biased member in an inoperative position, the retaining member being connected to the finger to release the retaining member upon upward movement of the finger.
 4. The device according to claim 3 wherein the actuating means comprises a lever arm contacting the container valve, a rod connected at its first end to one end of the lever arm and having a collar at its second end and an annular groove intermediate the ends of the rods, a tubular sleeve slidably receiving the second end of the rod and having a radially inwardly directed flange at the end of the sleeve through which the rod projects, a spring container between the collar and the inwardly directed flange for moving the rod into the sleeve to move the lever arm against the valve and release fluid; a spring clip releasably engaging the rod at the annular groove to hold the rod in a position whereby the spring is compressed and the valve closed; and means for releasing the spring clip from the rod upon the unauthorized removal.
 5. The device according to claim 4 wherein the aerosol container, lever arm, and sleeve are housed within an enclosure which is mounted at the rear of one of the compartments of the drawer.
 6. The device according to claim 4 wherein the means for releasing the spring clip comprising a flexible member connected at its first end to the clip and at its second end to the finger.
 7. Apparatus for applying a marking to the contents of a compartmented cash register drawer upon attempted unauthorized removal of such contents, comprising: an aerosol container of a marking fluid, the container having a valve which releases fluid from the container when depressed; a manifold connected to the container valve for receiving fluid therefrom, the manifold extending into several compartments of the drawer; individual nozzle means connected to the manifold and positioned in individual compartments for spraying the fluid onto the contents of the compartments; and actuating means for opening the valve of the container upon attempted unauthorized removal of the contents, the actuating means including a lever arm pivotally mounted at one end in the drawer and contacting the valve of the container, and electrical means for moving the lever about its pivot to depress the valve including a solenoid having the end of its movable member connected to the free end of the lever to move it for valve opening action, and controllable power supply means connecting to the solenoid to energize the same.
 8. Apparatus for applying a marking to the contents of a cash register drawer having several compartments provided therein upon attempted unauthorized removal of such contents, comprising: an aerosol container of a marking fluid, the container having a valve which releases fluid from the container when depressed; a manifold connected to the container valve for receiving fluid therefrom, the manifold extending into several of such compartments; individual nozzle means connected to the manifold and positioned in individual compartments for spraying the fluid onto the contents of the compartments; and actuating means for opening the valve of the container upon attempted unauthorized removal of the contents of a compartment; the actuating means including a lever arm pivotally mounted at one end in the drawer and contacting the valve of the container, and means for moving the lever about its pivot to open the valve.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the manifold comprises a first tube means connected to the aerosol container valve and extending along the rear Wall of the compartments, at least one second tube means connected to the first tube means and extending forwardly along a compartment dividing wall to a point intermediate the front and rear walls of the compartment, and a nozzle tube means connected to the forward end of the second tube for discharging marking fluid into the compartment.
 10. The device according to claim 8 wherein the actuating means further comprises a solenoid operatively connected to the lever arm for moving the arm to depress and open the valve, and circuit means for energizing the solenoid connected thereto. 